EP1JY/MM 1971

Operator: King Hussein of Jordan

Location: From Iran to Jordan

I was fortunate to meet King Hussein twice - once in Jordan and once in Tehran, Iran.
I (AI5P) was posted as a Signal Officer to the U.S. Army Mission in Iran/Military Assistance Advisory Group from 1969-1971 and was licensed as EP2DX from 1970-71.

In 1971, the Shah of Iran, His Imperial Majesty Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, planned to celebrate the 2,500-year anniversary of the founding of the Imperial State of Iran and the Achaemenid Empire by Cyrus the Great. The intent of the celebration was to demonstrate Iran's ancient civilization and history and to showcase its contemporary advances. It was attended by Royalty, Viceroys, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and others. The festivities were held at the ancient site of Persepolis (the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire near Shiraz) and has been described and the most expensive party ever held - estimated $17-22 million! For an interesting read, seeWikipedia's "2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire."
When the Amateur Radio Society of Iran learned that King Hussein would be attending the festivities, we approached Iran's Post and Telegraph to issue him a license - EP1JY. This was granted and we were fortunate that King Hussein was able to fit in a meeting with local amateurs during his time in Tehran. Below are two photos of that meeting.

Presentation of the EP1JY license to King Hussein.

Left to right: Wolfgang EP2WB, Rick Harris (AI5P) EP2DX, Bill EP2FB, Karla EP2KH, King Hussein (JY1) EP1JY, and Rosie EP2YL.

King Hussein was a keen sportsman, pilot, and amateur. When he departed Iran to fly back to Jordan, he got on the air as EP1JY/AM while piloting his Boeing 707. I'm not sure how many contacts he made, but I was fortunate to make a contact and receive a special QSL from Mary Ann Crider, WA3HUP, his qsl manager. My EQ2DX call was used as the 'EQ" prefix was allowed in conjunction with the celebrations.
Probably not too many of these QSL's around! Mine is framed along with photos of the meeting.

QSL, Photos, Info courtesy of AI5P